MADRID — Five people suspected of smuggling cocaine into Spain for the Hells Angels have been arrested on the resort island of Mallorca, police said Thursday, the latest in a string of police stings against the motorcycle gang.
The five suspects were arrested Tuesday on the Mediterranean island, where police in July arrested the suspected European leader of the Hells Angels.
"This cell, made up of five members, was dedicated to supplying the Hells Angels with cocaine from Latin America which they smuggled into the Iberian Peninsula," police said in a statement.
The cocaine was distributed in Spain as well as in several countries in Central Europe, the statement added.
Police carried out searches in seven homes in Mallorca as part of their operation, seizing 900 grams (two pounds) of cocaine, 300 grams of heroin (10.5 ounces), and several drug paraphernalia like digital weighing scales.
Police said the arrests were linked to the July detention of 25 members of the Hells Angels in Mallorca, including the group's European leader, German national Frank Hanebuth.
The authorities suspect Hanebuth controlled the group's activities from the resort island where he owned a home worth an estimated 2.5 million euros ($3.3 million).
The 25 members of the Hells Angels arrested in July are suspected of drug smuggling, human trafficking, extortion, money laundering and prostitution-related crimes.
Police seized 10 cars, four motorcycles, and around 50,000 euros as well as arms, jewelery, boats, cocaine, and marijuana during that operation.
Earlier this month police arrested four members of the Hells Angels, all Canadians, near the northwestern coastal city of Pontevedra who are suspected of smuggling 500 kilos (1,100 pounds) of cocaine from Colombia into Spain by yacht.
Spain is a key entry point for drugs bound for Europe.